EP0662039A1 - Heat sealing of thread to a web - Google Patents

Heat sealing of thread to a web

Info

Publication number
EP0662039A1
EP0662039A1 EP94910238A EP94910238A EP0662039A1 EP 0662039 A1 EP0662039 A1 EP 0662039A1 EP 94910238 A EP94910238 A EP 94910238A EP 94910238 A EP94910238 A EP 94910238A EP 0662039 A1 EP0662039 A1 EP 0662039A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
thread
web
heat
elements
tag
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP94910238A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0662039B1 (en
Inventor
Geoffrey William 57 Woodcote Avenue Vernon
James Goodwin
Andrew Cleall
Thomas William Whitegates Bailey
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Unilever PLC
Unilever NV
Original Assignee
Unilever PLC
Unilever NV
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Unilever PLC, Unilever NV filed Critical Unilever PLC
Publication of EP0662039A1 publication Critical patent/EP0662039A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0662039B1 publication Critical patent/EP0662039B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B29/00—Packaging of materials presenting special problems
    • B65B29/02—Packaging of substances, e.g. tea, which are intended to be infused in the package
    • B65B29/04—Attaching, or forming and attaching, string handles or tags to tea bags
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/18—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated tools
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/18—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated tools
    • B29C65/24—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated tools characterised by the means for heating the tool
    • B29C65/30—Electrical means
    • B29C65/305—Electrical means involving the use of cartridge heaters
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/03—After-treatments in the joint area
    • B29C66/034—Thermal after-treatments
    • B29C66/0342—Cooling, e.g. transporting through welding and cooling zone
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/11—Joint cross-sections comprising a single joint-segment, i.e. one of the parts to be joined comprising a single joint-segment in the joint cross-section
    • B29C66/112—Single lapped joints
    • B29C66/1122—Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/40—General aspects of joining substantially flat articles, e.g. plates, sheets or web-like materials; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles; Joining single elements to substantially flat surfaces
    • B29C66/47—Joining single elements to sheets, plates or other substantially flat surfaces
    • B29C66/472—Joining single elements to sheets, plates or other substantially flat surfaces said single elements being substantially flat
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/69—General aspects of joining filaments 
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/73—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset
    • B29C66/739—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset
    • B29C66/7392—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of at least one of the parts being a thermoplastic
    • B29C66/73921—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of at least one of the parts being a thermoplastic characterised by the materials of both parts being thermoplastics
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/81—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/818—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the cooling constructional aspects, or by the thermal or electrical insulating or conducting constructional aspects of the welding jaws or of the clamps ; comprising means for compensating for the thermal expansion of the welding jaws or of the clamps
    • B29C66/8181—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the cooling constructional aspects, or by the thermal or electrical insulating or conducting constructional aspects of the welding jaws or of the clamps ; comprising means for compensating for the thermal expansion of the welding jaws or of the clamps characterised by the cooling constructional aspects
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/82—Pressure application arrangements, e.g. transmission or actuating mechanisms for joining tools or clamps
    • B29C66/822—Transmission mechanisms
    • B29C66/8226—Cam mechanisms; Wedges; Eccentric mechanisms
    • B29C66/82263—Follower pin or roller cooperating with a groove
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/83—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof characterised by the movement of the joining or pressing tools
    • B29C66/834—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof characterised by the movement of the joining or pressing tools moving with the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/8341—Roller, cylinder or drum types; Band or belt types; Ball types
    • B29C66/83411—Roller, cylinder or drum types
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/83—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof characterised by the movement of the joining or pressing tools
    • B29C66/834—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof characterised by the movement of the joining or pressing tools moving with the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/8341—Roller, cylinder or drum types; Band or belt types; Ball types
    • B29C66/83411—Roller, cylinder or drum types
    • B29C66/83415—Roller, cylinder or drum types the contact angle between said rollers, cylinders or drums and said parts to be joined being a non-zero angle
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/83—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof characterised by the movement of the joining or pressing tools
    • B29C66/834—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof characterised by the movement of the joining or pressing tools moving with the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/8351—Jaws mounted on rollers, cylinders, drums, bands, belts or chains; Flying jaws
    • B29C66/83511—Jaws mounted on rollers, cylinders, drums, bands, belts or chains; Flying jaws jaws mounted on rollers, cylinders or drums
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31D—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN SUBCLASSES B31B OR B31C
    • B31D1/00—Multiple-step processes for making flat articles ; Making flat articles
    • B31D1/02—Multiple-step processes for making flat articles ; Making flat articles the articles being labels or tags
    • B31D1/023—Attaching wires or threads
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/71—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/73—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset
    • B29C66/731—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/7316—Surface properties
    • B29C66/73161—Roughness or rugosity
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/81—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/818—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the cooling constructional aspects, or by the thermal or electrical insulating or conducting constructional aspects of the welding jaws or of the clamps ; comprising means for compensating for the thermal expansion of the welding jaws or of the clamps
    • B29C66/8182—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the cooling constructional aspects, or by the thermal or electrical insulating or conducting constructional aspects of the welding jaws or of the clamps ; comprising means for compensating for the thermal expansion of the welding jaws or of the clamps characterised by the thermal insulating constructional aspects
    • B29C66/81821—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the cooling constructional aspects, or by the thermal or electrical insulating or conducting constructional aspects of the welding jaws or of the clamps ; comprising means for compensating for the thermal expansion of the welding jaws or of the clamps characterised by the thermal insulating constructional aspects of the welding jaws
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
    • B29L2031/712—Containers; Packaging elements or accessories, Packages
    • B29L2031/7122—Tea bags
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
    • B29L2031/712—Containers; Packaging elements or accessories, Packages
    • B29L2031/7128—Bags, sacks, sachets
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T156/00—Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture
    • Y10T156/10—Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor
    • Y10T156/1052—Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor with cutting, punching, tearing or severing
    • Y10T156/1062—Prior to assembly
    • Y10T156/1075—Prior to assembly of plural laminae from single stock and assembling to each other or to additional lamina
    • Y10T156/1077—Applying plural cut laminae to single face of additional lamina
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T156/00—Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture
    • Y10T156/17—Surface bonding means and/or assemblymeans with work feeding or handling means
    • Y10T156/1702—For plural parts or plural areas of single part
    • Y10T156/1712—Indefinite or running length work
    • Y10T156/1734—Means bringing articles into association with web
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T156/00—Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture
    • Y10T156/17—Surface bonding means and/or assemblymeans with work feeding or handling means
    • Y10T156/1702—For plural parts or plural areas of single part
    • Y10T156/1712—Indefinite or running length work
    • Y10T156/1739—Webs of different width, longitudinally aligned
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
    • Y10T428/24—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.]
    • Y10T428/24025—Superposed movable attached layers or components
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
    • Y10T428/24—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.]
    • Y10T428/24033—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.] including stitching and discrete fastener[s], coating or bond
    • Y10T428/24041—Discontinuous or differential coating, impregnation, or bond
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
    • Y10T428/24—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.]
    • Y10T428/2419—Fold at edge
    • Y10T428/24215—Acute or reverse fold of exterior component
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
    • Y10T428/24—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.]
    • Y10T428/24777—Edge feature
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
    • Y10T428/24—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.]
    • Y10T428/24777—Edge feature
    • Y10T428/24793—Comprising discontinuous or differential impregnation or bond

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a method and means for performing heat sealing operations.
  • thermoplastics material The heat sealing of a pair of webs containing thermoplastics material by a pair of clamping jaws, at least one of which is heated, is a well known technique. It is also known to employ threads made of a thermoplastics material which are heated while being pressed into place to secure them by adhesion of the softened material.
  • thermoplastic thread if melted may shrink away from the heat sealing device and so be attached, at best, only insecurely. If this does not happen, it may stick to the heating device in contact with it, again giving an insecure attachment but also contaminating the apparatus.
  • threads made of a mixture of thermoplastic and non-thermoplastic materials might avoid these problems but it is found they cannot in any case adhere securely by heat to a paper web.
  • a method of attaching a thermoplastic thread to a web in which the thread and web material are held between a pair of opposed heat sealing elements with the thread on one face of the web and heat being applied from the element on the opposite face of the web to render the thread plastic and cause it to adhere to the web material .
  • the heating step is followed by a step in which pressure and cooling is applied to complete the attachment of the thread.
  • this step is performed with the web and thread gripped in a predetermined sized gap.
  • the transverse seals may be completed at the same time as the attachment of the thread by the use of at least one further pair of sealing elements, which will normally be required to operate at a different temperature and pressure than those for attaching the thread.
  • the thread may be composed of a single polymer, polypropylene being a preferred material.
  • the thread is composed of a plurality of thermoplastic materials having differing melting points, so that the thread is only partly melted when it is heat sealed in place.
  • Apparatus according to the invention for attaching a thread at one or more regions intermediate the width of a web and for sealing transversely across the web may thus comprise a plurality of discrete but contiguous heat-sealing devices for heating successive portions across the width of the web, each said device comprising a heating element and anvil element adapted to be disposed on opposite sides of the web to engage between them the portions of the assembly in the respective zones, means being provided to press the web between the elements at the or each zone other than the zone to be occupied by the thread and said latter zone having the heat-sealing element set at a wider spacing than the opposed elements of the or each other of said zone.
  • the invention also includes a method of attaching a thermoplastic thread to a web in which the thread and web material are held between a pair of opposed heat sealing elements with the thread on one face of the web and heat being applied from the element on the opposite face of the web to render the thread plastic and cause it to adhere to the web material .
  • FIG. 1 shows a packet which has been produced using the apparatus to be described
  • Fig. 2 is a schematic side view of an apparatus according to the invention for producing the packet of Fig. 1,
  • Fig. 3 is a transverse view of the heat sealing devices of the apparatus in Fig. 2, and
  • Fig. 4 is an exploded view of the devices of Fig. 3.
  • the packet illustrated in Fig. 1 has a double- compartmented form described in more detail in EP 448325A but it can take any desired form. It comprises a main body B which is formed from two superimposed webs of a sheet material which may have heat-sealing properties, and which contains, for example, an infusion material.
  • a tag T is loosely tacked by heat seals H to the main body but is attached more securely to it by a heat seal A to a thread S partly gathered in a loop L under the tag.
  • the thread is secured to the body by a heat seal D at one end and that end of the body to be closed by heat-seal E welding the webs together.
  • the thread and the sheet material of the body comprise thermoplastic material, such as polypropylene.
  • the sheet material may have 25% thermoplastic material and the thread more, possibly even 100%.
  • the thread may contain polypropylene in admixture with a further material which is not subject to melting at the melting point of the polypropylene, eg. a polyester having a melting point some 20°C or more higher than the. melting point of the polypropylene.
  • a further material which is not subject to melting at the melting point of the polypropylene, eg. a polyester having a melting point some 20°C or more higher than the. melting point of the polypropylene.
  • the strength of the thread in the region of the heat seal can be improved this way.
  • the thread is not coated with lubricants, as is commonly done in the production of thermoplastic filaments.
  • the surface of the tag facing the thread may be treated to be more receptive to bonding with the thermoplastic material of the thread.
  • the surface of the tag facing the thread may have a coating of a thermoplastic material such as polypropylene or it may be roughened or made porous to facilitate the penetration of the heat-sealable thread material into the surface when the thread has been softened by heat.
  • the thread is held mainly underneath the tag before use, it may be preferred to weld it detachably to the body to ensure it does not become displaced inadvertently with the risk of snagging on extraneous objects. This can conveniently be done on the exposed portion of the thread loop below the tag.
  • the heat seals are achieved by separate sealing operations performed simultaneously between the thread and the body and between the two webs of the body to each side of the thread, as will now be described.
  • the apparatus takes the form of two circulating belts C1,C2 on which a series of heat seal operating members are secured, pairs of opposed members 2,4 on the two belts forming the heat sealing units.
  • the belts extend on opposite sides of a path R along which sheet material of the bodies B enters as a continuous tubular web, being converted into partly completed packets P as they progress through the apparatus, still as a continuous web, and in this respect the belts with their operating members may be arranged similarly to the circulating heat sealing devices for performing the finishing web sealing and separating operations described in EP 448325, urgeing together correspondingly the heat seal operating members 2,4 to secure the thread to the web and to seal the ends of the web compartments.
  • the drawings do not show the guides at the sides of the apparatus for guiding the web of uncompleted packets between the two belts .
  • Each member 2 of the lower belt comprises a lower mounting plate 6 through which it is attached to its belt and a lower heater element 8 and lower anvil element 10 which jointly extend over substantially the area of the mounting plate.
  • the heater element and the anvil element lie close to one another but there is an air gap between them.
  • Between the plate 6 and the elements 8,10 are a thermal insulating sheet 12 and for the heater element and/or the anvil element at least one radiating plate 14.
  • Each radiating plate has essentially the same plan form as its associated element.
  • the components of the operating member 2,4 are clamped together by bolts (not shown) between the lower plate 6 and the elements 8,10.
  • Each member 4 of the upper belt similarly comprises an upper plate 16 through which it is attached to its belt, an upper heater element 18 and closely nested anvil element 20, and an insulating sheet 22 and radiating plates 24 interposed between the plate 16 and the elements 18,20.
  • the radiating plates 24 also have plan profiles matching those of their respective elements 18,20.
  • the lower heater element 8 comprises a pair of upwardly projecting heating jaws 32 at its nesting boundary with the lower anvil element 10 and a cartridge heater 34 inserted into the body close to the jaws 32.
  • the lower anvil element 10 has a central upwardly projecting anvil jaw 36 between the heating jaws 32.
  • the upper heater element 18 disposed opposite the lower anvil element 10 has a cartridge heater 38 inserted into its body close to a central, downwardly projecting heating jaw 40 which is vertically coincident with the lower anvil jaw 36.
  • the upper anvil element 20 similarly has a pair of downwardly projecting anvil jaws 42 on opposite sides of the heating jaw 40 and vertically coincident with the lower heating jaws 32.
  • the upper heating jaw 40 and lower anvil jaw 36 form one heat-sealing device for a central zone and immediately adjacent to them is a second heat-sealing device formed by the lower heating jaws 32 and upper anvil jaws 42 for a pair of outer zones aligned with the central zone.
  • Heat transfer between the heating jaw or jaws of one device and the adjacent anvil jaws or jaw of the other device is limited by the air gaps between the adjacent elements.
  • Base projections 48 on each of the elements 8,10,18,20 limit the conduction of heat away from the heater and anvil elements.
  • the radiating plates provide a means of dissipating heat that has been transmitted from the elements.
  • the web of partly formed packets is fed between the heat seal operating members as the belts Cl, C2 circulate, the members being oriented parallel to each other before they contact the web so that they close together moving perpendicular relative to the web.
  • the web feed is synchronised with the movement of the belts so that the portions to have end seals formed between the opposed webs of the individual packets, and one end of each packet thread, are brought into register with the jaws of the successive operating members 2,4
  • the heat sealing of the thread to the web is performed by the central jaws 36,40 of the elements 10,18.
  • the jaws 32 may be heated to 180°C but although the thread may be weldable at a temperature of about 160°C it may be necessary to heat the jaws 40 to some 300°C to transmit sufficient heat through the web, but the process gives a more secure and reliable attachment for the thermoplastic thread.
  • a pair of cold rollers 48 in the path of the packet web following the belts have control rings (not shown) on their mounting shafts which set the arms 50 of the rollers at a fixed minimum gap, eg. 0.2mm.
  • the rotation of the rollers is synchronised with the belts so that the arms pinch the still soft thread at each end seal to spread and to solidify it. This final step ensures the thread is securely and permanently connected before the packets proceed to the next stage of processing.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Lining Or Joining Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
  • Making Paper Articles (AREA)
  • Labeling Devices (AREA)
  • Seasonings (AREA)
  • Yarns And Mechanical Finishing Of Yarns Or Ropes (AREA)
  • Medicines Containing Material From Animals Or Micro-Organisms (AREA)
  • Surface Heating Bodies (AREA)
  • General Preparation And Processing Of Foods (AREA)
  • Laminated Bodies (AREA)
  • Steroid Compounds (AREA)
  • Auxiliary Devices For And Details Of Packaging Control (AREA)
  • Treatment Of Fiber Materials (AREA)
  • Sampling And Sample Adjustment (AREA)

Abstract

Tags and thread are assembled together for the manufacture of tagged articles such as infusion packets in which each tag is attached to the packet by a length of thread. The thread is held in a looped form between the tag and the packet before use. For the assembly of the tags and thread and to increase the length of thread attaching each tag, means are provided for forming a doubled-over loop that can be trapped between the tag and the packet.

Description

HEAT SEALING OF THREAD TO A WEB
This invention relates to a method and means for performing heat sealing operations.
The heat sealing of a pair of webs containing thermoplastics material by a pair of clamping jaws, at least one of which is heated, is a well known technique. It is also known to employ threads made of a thermoplastics material which are heated while being pressed into place to secure them by adhesion of the softened material.
While both these processes have been practised successfully in themselves, problems can arise if it is required to secure a thread in place on a heat-sealed seam. The thermoplastic thread if melted may shrink away from the heat sealing device and so be attached, at best, only insecurely. If this does not happen, it may stick to the heating device in contact with it, again giving an insecure attachment but also contaminating the apparatus. The use of threads made of a mixture of thermoplastic and non-thermoplastic materials might avoid these problems but it is found they cannot in any case adhere securely by heat to a paper web.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a method of attaching a thermoplastic thread to a web is provided in which the thread and web material are held between a pair of opposed heat sealing elements with the thread on one face of the web and heat being applied from the element on the opposite face of the web to render the thread plastic and cause it to adhere to the web material .
It is found, surprisingly, that when employing this method it is possible to avoid sticking of the thread material to either of the heat-sealing elements between which it is held and it is also possible to avoid the material shrinking away from the heat-sealing region in a molten state. Preferably, the heating step is followed by a step in which pressure and cooling is applied to complete the attachment of the thread. For uniformity of results, it is desirable that this step is performed with the web and thread gripped in a predetermined sized gap. As applied to a process in which the thread extends along a continuous tubular web which is to be sealed transversely at intervals to define a series of separate compartments and the thread is to be attached to each of the compartments, the transverse seals may be completed at the same time as the attachment of the thread by the use of at least one further pair of sealing elements, which will normally be required to operate at a different temperature and pressure than those for attaching the thread. The thread may be composed of a single polymer, polypropylene being a preferred material. However, there can be advantages if the thread is composed of a plurality of thermoplastic materials having differing melting points, so that the thread is only partly melted when it is heat sealed in place.
Apparatus according to the invention for attaching a thread at one or more regions intermediate the width of a web and for sealing transversely across the web, may thus comprise a plurality of discrete but contiguous heat-sealing devices for heating successive portions across the width of the web, each said device comprising a heating element and anvil element adapted to be disposed on opposite sides of the web to engage between them the portions of the assembly in the respective zones, means being provided to press the web between the elements at the or each zone other than the zone to be occupied by the thread and said latter zone having the heat-sealing element set at a wider spacing than the opposed elements of the or each other of said zone.
In a further aspect, the invention also includes a method of attaching a thermoplastic thread to a web in which the thread and web material are held between a pair of opposed heat sealing elements with the thread on one face of the web and heat being applied from the element on the opposite face of the web to render the thread plastic and cause it to adhere to the web material .
The invention will be described in more detail by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 shows a packet which has been produced using the apparatus to be described, Fig. 2 is a schematic side view of an apparatus according to the invention for producing the packet of Fig. 1,
Fig. 3 is a transverse view of the heat sealing devices of the apparatus in Fig. 2, and
Fig. 4 is an exploded view of the devices of Fig. 3.
The packet illustrated in Fig. 1 has a double- compartmented form described in more detail in EP 448325A but it can take any desired form. It comprises a main body B which is formed from two superimposed webs of a sheet material which may have heat-sealing properties, and which contains, for example, an infusion material. A tag T is loosely tacked by heat seals H to the main body but is attached more securely to it by a heat seal A to a thread S partly gathered in a loop L under the tag. The thread is secured to the body by a heat seal D at one end and that end of the body to be closed by heat-seal E welding the webs together. For this purpose, the thread and the sheet material of the body comprise thermoplastic material, such as polypropylene. For example the sheet material may have 25% thermoplastic material and the thread more, possibly even 100%.
The thread may contain polypropylene in admixture with a further material which is not subject to melting at the melting point of the polypropylene, eg. a polyester having a melting point some 20°C or more higher than the. melting point of the polypropylene. The strength of the thread in the region of the heat seal can be improved this way. To ensure satisfactory heat sealing it is desirable that the thread is not coated with lubricants, as is commonly done in the production of thermoplastic filaments.
The surface of the tag facing the thread may be treated to be more receptive to bonding with the thermoplastic material of the thread. As examples, the surface of the tag facing the thread may have a coating of a thermoplastic material such as polypropylene or it may be roughened or made porous to facilitate the penetration of the heat-sealable thread material into the surface when the thread has been softened by heat.
Although the thread is held mainly underneath the tag before use, it may be preferred to weld it detachably to the body to ensure it does not become displaced inadvertently with the risk of snagging on extraneous objects. This can conveniently be done on the exposed portion of the thread loop below the tag. The heat seals are achieved by separate sealing operations performed simultaneously between the thread and the body and between the two webs of the body to each side of the thread, as will now be described.
The apparatus takes the form of two circulating belts C1,C2 on which a series of heat seal operating members are secured, pairs of opposed members 2,4 on the two belts forming the heat sealing units. The belts extend on opposite sides of a path R along which sheet material of the bodies B enters as a continuous tubular web, being converted into partly completed packets P as they progress through the apparatus, still as a continuous web, and in this respect the belts with their operating members may be arranged similarly to the circulating heat sealing devices for performing the finishing web sealing and separating operations described in EP 448325, urgeing together correspondingly the heat seal operating members 2,4 to secure the thread to the web and to seal the ends of the web compartments. The drawings do not show the guides at the sides of the apparatus for guiding the web of uncompleted packets between the two belts .
Each member 2 of the lower belt comprises a lower mounting plate 6 through which it is attached to its belt and a lower heater element 8 and lower anvil element 10 which jointly extend over substantially the area of the mounting plate. The heater element and the anvil element lie close to one another but there is an air gap between them. Between the plate 6 and the elements 8,10 are a thermal insulating sheet 12 and for the heater element and/or the anvil element at least one radiating plate 14. Each radiating plate has essentially the same plan form as its associated element. The components of the operating member 2,4 are clamped together by bolts (not shown) between the lower plate 6 and the elements 8,10.
Each member 4 of the upper belt similarly comprises an upper plate 16 through which it is attached to its belt, an upper heater element 18 and closely nested anvil element 20, and an insulating sheet 22 and radiating plates 24 interposed between the plate 16 and the elements 18,20. The radiating plates 24 also have plan profiles matching those of their respective elements 18,20. The lower heater element 8 comprises a pair of upwardly projecting heating jaws 32 at its nesting boundary with the lower anvil element 10 and a cartridge heater 34 inserted into the body close to the jaws 32. The lower anvil element 10 has a central upwardly projecting anvil jaw 36 between the heating jaws 32. The upper heater element 18 disposed opposite the lower anvil element 10 has a cartridge heater 38 inserted into its body close to a central, downwardly projecting heating jaw 40 which is vertically coincident with the lower anvil jaw 36. The upper anvil element 20 similarly has a pair of downwardly projecting anvil jaws 42 on opposite sides of the heating jaw 40 and vertically coincident with the lower heating jaws 32.
In this arrangement, the upper heating jaw 40 and lower anvil jaw 36 form one heat-sealing device for a central zone and immediately adjacent to them is a second heat-sealing device formed by the lower heating jaws 32 and upper anvil jaws 42 for a pair of outer zones aligned with the central zone. Heat transfer between the heating jaw or jaws of one device and the adjacent anvil jaws or jaw of the other device is limited by the air gaps between the adjacent elements.
Base projections 48 on each of the elements 8,10,18,20 limit the conduction of heat away from the heater and anvil elements. The radiating plates provide a means of dissipating heat that has been transmitted from the elements. The web of partly formed packets is fed between the heat seal operating members as the belts Cl, C2 circulate, the members being oriented parallel to each other before they contact the web so that they close together moving perpendicular relative to the web. The web feed is synchronised with the movement of the belts so that the portions to have end seals formed between the opposed webs of the individual packets, and one end of each packet thread, are brought into register with the jaws of the successive operating members 2,4 The heat sealing of the thread to the web is performed by the central jaws 36,40 of the elements 10,18. That also seals together the two layers of the packet web in the immediate vicinity of the thread, but the main side zones are sealed by the pairs of outer jaws 32,42 of the elements 8,20 to complete the packet end seal. This arrangement allows different heating temperatures to be chosen for the different zones of the end seal, in particular the central zone with the thread may be heated more intensively. A small gap is present between the central jaws 32,42 but the outer jaws are set without a gap to clamp the web material between them under pressure.
It will be noted from Fig. 3 that the web of partly completed packets progresses through the apparatus with the tag and thread on its lower face. The heating in the central zone occupied by the thread is applied through the jaw 40 of the upper element 18, ie. the thread is heated through the web material. It is found that this procedure is able to soften the thread so that it can adhere to the web but it does not stick to the cooler anvil element. Nor need it be subjected to heating conditions which would cause it to melt and shrink away from the contacting element. The heater element 18 is raised to higher heating temperature than the heater elements 8. For example, the jaws 32 may be heated to 180°C but although the thread may be weldable at a temperature of about 160°C it may be necessary to heat the jaws 40 to some 300°C to transmit sufficient heat through the web, but the process gives a more secure and reliable attachment for the thermoplastic thread.
A pair of cold rollers 48 in the path of the packet web following the belts have control rings (not shown) on their mounting shafts which set the arms 50 of the rollers at a fixed minimum gap, eg. 0.2mm. The rotation of the rollers is synchronised with the belts so that the arms pinch the still soft thread at each end seal to spread and to solidify it. This final step ensures the thread is securely and permanently connected before the packets proceed to the next stage of processing.

Claims

1. A method of attaching a thermoplastic thread to a web in which the thread and web material are held between a pair of opposed heat sealing elements with the thread on one face of the web and heat being applied from the element on the opposite face of the web to render the thread plastic and cause it to adhere to the web material .
2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the heat sealing elements are held at a predetermined gap while heating the thread.
3. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the heating step is followed by a step in which pressure and cooling is applied to complete the attachment of the thread.
4. A method according to claim 3 wherein said pressure and cooling are applied while the web and the thread are gripped in a predetermined size gap.
5. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the thread is extended along a web in the form of a length in the form of a continuous tubular length which is to be sealed transversely at intervals to define a series of separate compartments for producing discrete articles, and the thread is attached by said heat sealing elements to each of the compartments, the transverse seals being completed of at least one further pair of sealing elements at the same time as the attachment of the thread.
6. A method according to claim 5 wherein the temperature at which said further pair of sealing elements are operated and/or the pressure which they apply during heat sealing are different from said temperature and/or pressure of the sealing elements employed to attach the thread to the web.
7. A method according to claim 4 together with claim 5 or claim 6 wherein respective tags are attached to the thread for each of said compartments and the tags are also releasably attached to the web of their compartments.
8. Apparatus for attaching a thread at least at one region intermediate the width of a web and for sealing transversely across the web, comprising a plurality of discrete but contiguous heat-sealing devices for heating successive portions of the web across its width, each said device comprising a heating element and an anvil element adapted to be disposed on opposite sides of the web, means being provided to press the web between the opposed elements at the or each zone other than the zone or zones to be occupied by the thread, said latter zone having the heat sealing elements set at a wider spacing than the opposed elements of the or each other said zone.
9. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said devices are arranged on circulatory conveying means for transporting cooperating heating and anvil elements along respective path which have mutually adjacent portions where said elements are brought into cooperation with each other.
10. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said conveying means comprise respective belts having circulating paths with substantially rectilinear mutually adjacent portions for said cooperation of the elements.
11. Apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 10 wherein presser means are provided for pressing and cooling the heat seals between the thread and the web prior to the setting of the heat sealing material.
12. Apparatus according to claim 9 or claim 10 together with claim 11 wherein said presser means are disposed downstream of the conveying means.
13. A tagged article comprising a main body of web material and a tag detachably secured to the body, the main body and tag also being connected by a length of thread secured at opposite ends to the body and tag, said thread comprising a thermoplastic material that is heat- sealed to the body and tag.
14. An article according to claim 13 wherein the thread comprises polypropylene.
15. An article according to claim 13 or claim 14 wherein the thread is composed of a plurality of thermoplastic materials having differing melting points.
16. An article according to any one of claims 13 to 15 wherein the tag comprises heat sealing material for said attachment of the tag to the thread.
EP94910238A 1992-09-17 1993-09-10 Heat sealing of thread to a web Expired - Lifetime EP0662039B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB929219657A GB9219657D0 (en) 1992-09-17 1992-09-17 Tagged articles
GB9219657 1992-09-17
PCT/GB1993/001917 WO1994006620A1 (en) 1992-09-17 1993-09-10 Heat sealing of thread to a web

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0662039A1 true EP0662039A1 (en) 1995-07-12
EP0662039B1 EP0662039B1 (en) 1998-01-28

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EP94910261A Expired - Lifetime EP0662909B1 (en) 1992-09-17 1993-09-10 Method and apparatus for producing tagged articles
EP94910238A Expired - Lifetime EP0662039B1 (en) 1992-09-17 1993-09-10 Heat sealing of thread to a web

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EP (2) EP0662909B1 (en)
JP (2) JPH08504153A (en)
AT (2) ATE165781T1 (en)
AU (2) AU4978293A (en)
CA (2) CA2144754A1 (en)
DE (2) DE69316762T2 (en)
ES (2) ES2115223T3 (en)
GB (1) GB9219657D0 (en)
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MY (1) MY131372A (en)
NZ (2) NZ255546A (en)
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ZA936734B (en) 1995-03-13
EP0662909B1 (en) 1998-05-06
ATE165781T1 (en) 1998-05-15
US5439529A (en) 1995-08-08
WO1994006620A1 (en) 1994-03-31
DE69316762T2 (en) 1998-05-14
EP0662039B1 (en) 1998-01-28
NZ255547A (en) 1996-05-28
ES2112527T3 (en) 1998-04-01
AU4978293A (en) 1994-04-12
US5874149A (en) 1999-02-23
ES2115223T3 (en) 1998-06-16
CA2144754A1 (en) 1994-03-31
US5399224A (en) 1995-03-21
DE69318414T2 (en) 1998-09-03
DE69318414D1 (en) 1998-06-10
JPH08504153A (en) 1996-05-07
US5882472A (en) 1999-03-16
NZ255546A (en) 1996-04-26
IN178854B (en) 1997-07-05
AU4978193A (en) 1994-04-12
CA2144755A1 (en) 1994-03-31
ATE162755T1 (en) 1998-02-15
ZA936733B (en) 1995-03-13
WO1994006685A1 (en) 1994-03-31
GB9219657D0 (en) 1992-10-28
US5865924A (en) 1999-02-02
DE69316762D1 (en) 1998-03-05
EP0662909A1 (en) 1995-07-19
MY131372A (en) 2007-08-30
JPH08504135A (en) 1996-05-07

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